Hollywild showcased the survivors of January's barn fire and announced a new fundraiser Thursday morning.

The fire in the primate barn killed more than 20 animals.

Advertisement

Other animals had minor issues due to the incident.

A baboon, named P.J., suffered smoke inhalation. He is back to normal. At Thursday's news conference, P.J. opened a bag of apples with his teeth and nibbled at the fruit, then chewed on small pumpkins and peeled a banana with his teeth and feet.

Priscilla, P.J.'s habitat mate who also survived the fire, stole two of P.J.'s pumpkins, and then they chased each other around.

A tortoise that suffered damage to its shell in the fire ate a banana and walked around.

Two bear cubs that lost a sibling to the fire got excited when a trainer brought them grapes and apples.

"It's a story of survivorship," said Kim Atchley, Hollywild's executive director.

The park is getting calls every day asking whether or not it's open due to confusion following the fire. The park is open and has been since the fire.

"We really need our community to step up and realize not only are we here, but we need your help," Atchley said.

The belief that the fire may have caused the park to close has attendance down by half, which led to a budget shortfall of $150,000.

"We're struggling as an organization," Atchley said.

Due to the lack of money, the nonprofit hasn't been able to make repairs to the barn where the fire happened.

The work would cost $15,000. Polydeck Screen made a donation, but the park still has a lot of money to raise.

If the barn isn't fixed soon, the animals that use it for warmth in the colder months would have to go to another location for care.

"We don't want them to leave the keepers they know and love," Atchley said. "We really believe the best place for our animals is here."

The park launched a campaign called Winter is Coming.

Hollywild would need to raise enough funding to repair the barn by the end of September or beginning of October to keep the affected animals at the park through the colder months.

"We're not just looking to be reactive to a single need. We're looking to be responsive and planning ahead for the future and meeting those goals, because these guys are worth it. All the animals here are," Atchley said.

You can learn more about the park or make a donation by clicking here.